A former American sailor has been indicted by a federal grand jury for attempting to provide classified information on US submarines to someone who he believed to be representatives of the Russian Federation.

Robert Patrick Hoffman II, 39, who now faces life imprisonment, was arrested yesterday.

According to the indictment, Hoffman while serving in the Navy, held security clearances that granted him access to classified and national defense information relating to programs and operations in which he participated, and he repeatedly signed agreements to not disclose that sensitive information.

The indictment alleges that on October 21, Hoffman attempted to deliver to the Russian Federation classified documents that revealed national security information. He is alleged to have carried out this activity with the intent to cause injury to the United States and to give an advantage to the Russian Federation.

In fact, Hoffman delivered it to the FBI, which was conducting an undercover operation, according to the indictment.The indictment does not allege that the Russian Federation committed any offense under US laws in this case.